Page 41 of A Soul to Embrace

“Is something the matter?” Zylah asked with her bony snout pointed in the direction of the cave opening. “I don’t smell anything approaching.”

“Everything is fine.” He rose to his feet while clutching his cloak, which he had used as a blanket instead, so he could place it around his shoulders. Then, wanting a distraction from his constant thoughts, he said, “The day is still early. I’d like to train for the duration of the sun, and then we can head towards the cornfield village for more supplies once night falls.”

Although her lessons were a priority, Jabez ensured he maintained his physique. In doing so, his companion mimicked him when he trained his body; she would do push-ups, sit-ups, and lunges beside him. They’d begun starting their day with a lengthy run side by side, ensuring she didn’t start chasing him in an accidental excited rage.

Jabez didn’t grow stronger, since this did nothing but maintain his strength.But it strengthens her.The more she worked her humanoid form in such strenuous ways, the more in tune she became with it. He doubted she knew that was why he was truly doing it.

Zylah stood, and as she often did, copied him by brushing off her clothing.

“Can… we get more books?” she asked sheepishly, using just the claw of her forefinger to scratch at the side of her snout. “I have already read the ones we have many times.”

“It appears I’ve made a bookworm of you.” His lips almost curled into a smile despite the lingering of his disgruntled musings.

Zylah tilted her head at him. “Book... worm?”

“It’s a term for someone who enjoys reading.”

“I didn’t know worms could read, though. Do they burrow into books like the dirt?”

The hardness of his features cracked, and a warm smile finally lifted into them. Why did he find the silliness of her questions so remarkably adorable?

“No,” he said with a light chuckle. “There are many sayings that don’t make sense. But yes, Zylah, I’ll find more books for you. If there is anything else you can think of before we get to the village, let me know, and I will attempt to obtain it for you.”

He mainly wanted to provide Zylah with her own blanket, and perhaps even a pillow despite him not having one himself.I should also look into getting us proper bedding.Currently, they both slept on the ground, as Jabez had little interest in softening a space he didn’t intend to stay in forever.

But, in the interim of them calling this their home, it would suit them better if he made it more comfortable.

I’m not like humans.He also didn’t often think like one.

But he currently had a female in his care, no matter her animalistic species, and he should do better to provide comforts. She hadn’t needed a blanket, as she didn’t grow cold in this chilly season like he did, but seeing how much it’d soothed her during the dawn, he’d like to obtain one for her.

I’ll get her whatever she needs.

It wasn’t like he was paying for any of it anyway.

With night shielding where she stood hidden in shadow, Zylah watched as Jabez climbed the side of the cornfield village’s walls.

He moved effortlessly, utilising both his hands and feet like a regular Demon to grip at the stakes of logs. His long hair swished and swayed behind him, while his cloak fluttered around his body with each pull up of his strong arms. When he was at the top of the wall, he paused to check the surrounding area within the town before jumping down.

Then Zylah was alone.

Her snout bounced as she took in wafts of strange smoke – some sweet, some musky. Jabez didn’t cook any meat he hunted, but he did occasionally boil vegetables and fruits in a pot he placed over his campfire. These smokes smelt similar, but as if their contents were more complex.

Just beyond the wall, muted chatter warbled in her ears – like the humans were speaking softly whilst it was dark.

She stepped closer in curiosity, and her pawed feet crunched in the grass. Her snout pointed one way and then the other, before it lifted to the top of the wooden stakes.

I want to know what it’s like inside.She’d only ever entered a human dwelling once, and she’d been enraged the entire time. Her memory of it was foggy.

Although she hadn’t understood what the swollen, painful ache behind her sternum had meant, she’d come to learn what it was called. How weighing it could feel. Zylah had been... lonely. Humans lived together, and she’d longed to be part of such a way of life. To not be discarded within the forest like a creature, but someone worth being in the presence of.

That feeling had dissipated with Jabez’s companionship. The more they spoke, the warmer her chest radiated. She could no longer imagine not being by the male’s side.

Zylah took another step towards the village, her feet itching to explore. She touched the wall, and her claws dug into the rough timber as she hesitated.He always tells me to wait outside.She chittered to herself, nervous, excited, and irritated all at once.I’m smart now. I... I won’t get caught if I have a peek.

Even Jabez complimented Zylah’s abilities. Surely if he could go into the village, so could she. She didn’t understand why she needed to wait outside anymore.

With her mind made up, she followed the same path as Jabez. Once she climbed to the top, she assessed over the other side of the wall, unsure of what he searched for but observing it was empty. She jumped down, her knees bending to take the worst of her fall, and darted her head in every direction when she noticed howdifferentjust a simple wall could make the world.

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